Opioid-related overdose deaths within the District have risen steadily in recent times and the pandemic exacerbated the issue, with lockdowns initially making it tougher to entry dependancy providers. As well as, a big portion of medicine — together with heroin, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine — at the moment are being laced with fentanyl, an artificial opioid that’s 50 to 100 occasions stronger than morphine.
Final 12 months, there have been 427 opioid-related overdose deaths within the District. In response to the Workplace of the Chief Medical Examiner, 95% of these deaths included the presence of fentanyl.
DC’s Division of Behavioral Well being (DBH) and its neighborhood companions have introduced the continued growth of its naloxone distribution program and the launch of a brand new marketing campaign to encourage remedy for these affected by dependancy. Each initiatives are a part of LIVE.LONG.DC. 2.0, the District’s strategic plan to scale back opioid use, misuse, and associated deaths.
DBH makes naloxone, a life-saving remedy used to reverse an opioid-related overdose, extensively obtainable and simple to get without spending a dime, and not using a prescription or ID required in pharmacies and at neighborhood websites. This system has grown from a handful of preliminary distribution websites to just about 40 pharmacy places and over 120 neighborhood organizations in all eight Wards.
As well as, in 2020, DBH launched a novel naloxone distribution service. By texting the phrases LiveLongDC to 888-811, District residents get a message again with a hyperlink to a map of the places the place they’ll choose up naloxone. Lately, an choice without spending a dime dwelling supply and mail supply was added to the service.
“Naloxone must be close to at hand like several lifesaving remedy. Household, buddies, and others in the neighborhood can use naloxone to avoid wasting somebody who’s overdosing,” mentioned Dr. Barbara J. Bazron, Director of the Division of Behavioral Well being. “We would like all District residents to be prepared to avoid wasting a life and carry naloxone.”
Recognizing {that a} substance use dysfunction is a illness and that customers typically should search remedy a number of occasions as a part of their restoration journey, DBH has launched a brand new public schooling marketing campaign designed to encourage customers to strive once more at remedy with the hope that “this time will be completely different.” The marketing campaign highlights DBH’s complete set of remedy helps, together with:
Free substance use dysfunction remedy, obtainable seven days per week at websites throughout the District;
Three drugs (methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone) confirmed efficient at treating the illness of dependancy;
Enhanced care coordination in order that people obtain complete care;
Peer counselors who’ve been there, and may help a person by remedy and restoration; and
Transportation, restoration housing and different help providers.
“We want DC residents with substance use issues to know that DBH has the providers and helps to assist them succeed,” mentioned Bazron. “We all know that remedy works, and restoration is feasible.”Details about the District’s restoration providers is obtainable on-line at MyRecoveryDC.org or by calling the 24-hour Entry Helpline at 1-888-793-4357 (7WE-HELP).
